Before you turn a corner, back up or turn around, always check your mirrors and over your shoulder to make sure the way is clear and you have enough space to complete the move safely.
Turning a corner
To turn a corner, signal well before the turn. When the way is clear, move into the proper lane - either the far right lane for a right turn or the far left lane in your direction for a left turn. Signal your turn and look from side to side to make sure the way is clear.
Slow down before you enter the turn; the sharper the turn, the slower you should go. To keep full control of the turn, finish braking before you turn the steering wheel.
For a sharp turn, turn the steering wheel with one hand and cross the other hand over it. Grip the wheel on the other side and continue turning. This is called "hand over hand steering." When you have completed the turn, relax your grip on the steering wheel and let it slip or gently feed it through your hands to return to the straight-ahead position. Do not turn the steering wheel with one finger or the flat palm of your hand.
Gradually increase speed as you complete the turn.
Remember, drivers lose control of vehicles and skid because they try to do more than one thing at a time. Try not to brake and steer at the same time.
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Right turns
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Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a right turn close to the right side of the road.
To make a right turn, signal well before the turn and move into the right-hand lane when the way is clear. If the right-hand lane is not marked, keep as far to the right of the road as possible. Look ahead, left, right and left again before starting to turn. If you may not have seen any smaller vehicles or pedestrians, check your right rear blind spot. Let cyclists, limited-speed motorcycles or moped riders go through the intersection before you turn. When it is safe, make your turn into the right-hand lane of the road.
Right turn on a red light
Unless a sign tells you not to, you may turn right on a red light as long as you first come to a complete stop and wait until the way is clear. Remember to yield to pedestrians and others using the road.
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Left turns
Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a left turn in the far left lane in your direction.
To make a left turn, signal well before the turn and move into the far left lane when the way is clear. Look ahead, left, right and left again and check your blind spot. Make your turn when the way is clear.
When you are stopped at an intersection waiting for approaching traffic to clear, don't turn your steering wheel to the left until you can complete the turn. With your wheels turned to the left, your vehicle could be pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.
When two vehicles coming from opposite directions meet in an intersection waiting to turn left, each should turn to the left of the other after yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
Motorcycles, limited-speed motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles turn left at intersections in the same way as larger vehicles. If you are making a left turn behind one of these vehicles, do not pull up beside it to make your turn at the same time. Stay behind and turn when the way is clear. Wait for the smaller vehicle to move right before you pass.
The following diagrams show you the correct way to turn left on different types of roads:
Two-way road to a two-way road.
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Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the lane right of the centre line, following a smooth arc. Then, when you can, move into the right curb lane.
Two-way road to a one-way road.
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Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the left curb lane.
One-way road to a two-way road.
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Turn from the left curb lane to the lane just right of the centre line. Then, when you can, move into the right curb lane.
One-way road to a one-way road.
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Turn from the left curb lane to the left curb lane.
Left-turn lanes
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| Diagram 2-27 | |
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| Diagram 2-28 | |
Some roads have special lanes for vehicles turning left
The centre lane of some roads is used as a two-way left-turn
lane
- Signal and move into the centre lane shortly before your turn. Slow down.
- Carefully move forward to a spot opposite the road or driveway where you want to turn.
- Make your turn when the way is clear.
Remember that vehicles from the opposite direction also use this lane to turn left. As they wait in front of you, it may be hard for you to see oncoming traffic. Only go when you are sure the way is clear.
Left turn on a red light
You may turn left from a one-way road to a one-way road on a red light after coming to a complete stop and making sure the way is clear. Yield to pedestrians and traffic.
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Backing up
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| Diagram 2-29 |
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| Diagram 2-30 |
Take extra care and move slowly when backing up (reversing) your vehicle. Before you begin, check that the way is clear behind you. Be especially careful to look for children and cyclists. Put the gear selector in reverse and turn sideways in your seat to look over your shoulder in the direction you are moving, while holding the steering wheel firmly.
If you are reversing straight back or to the right, turn your
body and head to the right and look back over your right shoulder
You don't have to wear a seat belt while backing up. If you need to remove your seat belt to turn your body to see properly when reversing, do so. But don't forget to buckle up again before moving forward.
It is illegal to drive in reverse on a divided road that has a speed limit of more than 80 km/h. This applies to the travelled section of the road and the shoulder. The only exception to this rule is if you are trying to help someone in trouble.
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Turning around
You may need to turn around when driving if you miss a turn or go too far along a road. There are several ways to do this safely.
The simplest and safest way is to drive around the block, but there may be times when this is not possible. In such cases, a U-turn or a three-point turn may be necessary.
U-turn
Before you make a U-turn, check to make sure there is no sign saying not to. To make a U-turn safely, you must be able to see well in both directions. It is illegal to make a U-turn on a curve in the road, on or near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view. Never make a U-turn unless you can see at least 150 metres in both directions.
To make a U-turn, signal for a right turn, check your mirror and over your shoulder and pull over to the right side of the road. Stop. Signal a left turn and when traffic is clear in both directions, move forward and turn quickly and sharply into the opposite lane. Check for traffic as you turn.
Three-point turn
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| Diagram 2-31 |
On narrow roads you need to make a three-point turn to change directions. As shown in Diagram 2-31, a three-point turn starts from the far right side of the road.
Signal for a left turn. When the way is clear in both directions, move forward, turning the steering wheel sharply left towards the curb on the far side of the road. When you have reached the left side of the road, stop, and put the vehicle into reverse. Signal a right turn. After checking that the way is still clear, turn the steering wheel sharply to the right, while backing up slowly to the other side of the road. Stop. Shift to forward gear and check traffic. When the way is clear, drive forward.
© 2003 Queen's Printer for Ontario
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